I like Joffrey, he's a fun character. I also like that (like midieval times) he's not a big fan of the monarch being beholden to the whims of the nobility. If they're his subjects, why does he need their love/permission to run his kingdom as he sees fit. A wannabe absolute monarch. Go Joffrey!

good catch, i checked the first n 9th episodes and it was same sword, then again maybe it said this in the novels...

It's important for a variety of reasons. Contrasts Ned (executes criminals himself with his family sword) with Joffrey's methods. In the book Ned killed Sansa's direwolf with the sword as well, but they had him use a knife in the show.

The sword also comes up later on, obviously no idea if the show will stress it.

Family sword, handed down from father to son for generations. That and Valeryan steal would be the equivalent of a Vorpal Sword in D&Dland I guess.

I don't know what this means, but I assume it is nerdy as hell.

It was Ned's sword which of course he took with him when traveling south. It is not an executioner's sword it is his (fighting) sword that has been in his family for ages. After Ned's death it should be inherited by Rob. Letting Ned be killed by his own sword and having it carried by the axman is an insult in itself. And I don't think I'm spoiling much when I say it's not the end of that particular insult.

This is pretty much what i'm getting at. I haven't read the books, but they didn't really explain it very well in the series, so was speculating on whether on not it will play a part in the future.

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Originally Posted by CDFS

I don't know what this means, but I assume it is nerdy as hell.

It was Ned's sword which of course he took with him when traveling south. It is not an executioner's sword it is his (fighting) sword that has been in his family for ages. After Ned's death it should be inherited by Rob. Letting Ned be killed by his own sword and having it carried by the axman is an insult in itself. And I don't think I'm spoiling much when I say it's not the end of that particular insult.

It was Ned's sword which of course he took with him when traveling south. It is not an executioner's sword it is his (fighting) sword that has been in his family for ages. After Ned's death it should be inherited by Rob. Letting Ned be killed by his own sword and having it carried by the axman is an insult in itself. And I don't think I'm spoiling much when I say it's not the end of that particular insult.

Heh, true. And BTW Vorpal Sword was the most powerful sword in the original Dungeons and Dragons game

I always got the feeling that Valyrian steel wasn't really "magical" in the usual sense of magic swords. It's just really high quality steel: very light (which makes that huge two hander usable), very sharp and stays that way. It doesn't make the user any more skilled or powerful, but the owners are almost always great knights and lords so they're usually the best swordsmen anyway. The Valyrians used magic to make it, but that's a bit of a different thing.

Lord Marmot (leader of the Night's Watch) giving Jon his Valyrian sword was a huge deal for that reason; it was his family sword and he's handing it to a bastard and new member. Reinforces that "there's something special in store for you, boy" message.

I always got the feeling that Valyrian steel wasn't really "magical" in the usual sense of magic swords. It's just really high quality steel: very light (which makes that huge two hander usable), very sharp and stays that way. It doesn't make the user any more skilled or powerful, but the owners are almost always great knights and lords so they're usually the best swordsmen anyway. The Valyrians used magic to make it, but that's a bit of a different thing.

Lord Marmot (leader of the Night's Watch) giving Jon his Valyrian sword was a huge deal for that reason; it was his family sword and he's handing it to a bastard and new member. Reinforces that "there's something special in store for you, boy" message.

This is not a spoiler: I always got the feeling that Valyrian steel wasn't really "magical" in the usual sense of magic swords. It's just really high quality steel: very light (which makes that huge two hander usable), very sharp and stays that way. It doesn't make the user any more skilled or powerful, but the owners are almost always great knights and lords so they're usually the best swordsmen anyway. The Valyrians used magic to make it, but that's a bit of a different thing. Lord Marmot (leader of the Night's Watch) giving Jon his Valyrian sword was a huge deal for that reason; it was his family sword and he's handing it to a bastard and new member. Reinforces that "there's something special in store for you, boy" message.

Yeah I'm kinda butthurt that Jon got Jorah's sword since Jorah is more and more becoming my favorite character in this. Valyrian steel isn't 'magical', but apparently there are magical swords in this setting according to Martin in the the Making of GOT on HBO IIRC.

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I had skipped a few pages and missed that everyone was clamoring for no book spoilers. My apology for posting a book spoiler earlier.

What's your least favorite story lines in the show? Mine so far has been the Targaryan/Dothraky wilderness adventure.

I didn't like much of Catelyn's story....or maybe I did and I just don't like *her* heh. I didn't blame Jaime for going after Ned at all after Cat grabbed Tyrion with no evidence. These Starks are stupid, stupid, stupid!

I thought the Targ/Doth story was great, but mainly due to Jorah, very deep, three dimensional character. I hope he's fleshed out in the future more.